Berkhamsted School has submitted a planning application to develop an astro turf hockey pitch and adjacent sprinting track at Kitchener's Field, Berkhamsted. This development will involve levelling part of the valley, the erection of fencing to up to 4 metres in height and the installation of floodlighting. Kitchener's Field is in the Chilterns AONB, Green Belt and an Area of Archaeological Interest. It is separated from Berkhamsted Castle only by Brownlow Road. The area is bounded by Castle Hill, Brownlow Road and New Road and reaches Berkhamsted Common, a mile away along a public footpath.

A large number of residents of Castle Hill Association (CHA) and residents of Berkhamsted have already expressed their concern about the proposed development which they see as despoiling a beautiful part of the Berkhamsted countryside. The CHA is seeking the wider support of the community to oppose this Planning Application.

* The development contravenes many National, County and Local policies for the protection of the beauty of the Valley.
* The unspoilt countryside would change forever, with a large area (at least 63 metres x 102 metres) of astro turf, high fencing and at least eight 18 metre tall lighting poles
* The School has 40 acres of playing fields where it could alternatively locate a Hockey pitch

We are custodians of our environment. We need your support to quash this application